April 2017: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

The Gift of Water

Cont’d from page 1

extremely large-scale process would be required. Yet, see how God arranged everything for us. Praise be to Him.

[2:22] The One who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not set up idols to rival GOD, now that you know.

[2:60] Recall that Moses sought water for his people. We said, “Strike the rock with your staff.” Whereupon, twelve springs gushed out therefrom. The members of each tribe knew their own water. Eat and drink from GOD’s provisions, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.

I tried to imagine the twelve different springs and twelve different tribes enjoying its water. It is wonderful how easily God satisfied all the tribes existing with Prophet Moses and did not allow them to dispute. Further, we can learn from the verse which tells us how God instructed them to enjoy the provisions bestowed upon them without corrupting the earth.

[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that GOD sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.

This verse sheds light on the benefit and importance of water and the wonderful planning of God in the creation of this world. God knew well how this world would evolve and develop gradually in stages. Hence for long distance commuting and transporting, initially the easiest and swiftest means was over water. If God had not created oceans and seas, then it would have been impossible to create the network of communication and commerce which benefits us till today and will remain important till the end of this world.

These overwhelming signs of God compel us to bow down before Him in appreciation.

As the scarcity of water increased, people have studied various methods of generating fresh water. However, scientific methods of trying to create water have so far proved very costly.

For example, we know there’s water all around us in the form of vapor. Water evaporates from the seas and rivers and oceans. It rises up through the atmosphere where God has designed that it would be collected into clouds. The water returns to us in the form of droplets of rain or flakes of snow. Yet as effortlessly as this process was designed by God, for us to extract water out of the atmosphere is not easy. Modern machines that can use wind power to extract water out of the air cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Scientists have also tried cloud seeding for rainfall. In this method, certain chemicals are used to induce rainfall. But this method too is costly and time consuming (and not guaranteed). The cloud seeding method needs multiple trips in planes to fire the chemical in the air. Also, it must be perfectly timed, and clouds must be present to begin with (something only GOD can control).

In summary, we need to accept that water is one of the biggest blessings of God to us. Looking at the different techniques people have tried (and their results), the feasibility of large scale cheap water production becomes bleak.  It is due to immense mercy of God that we get palatable water. God not only sends down water from the sky but also preserves it in the ground within our reach for us after the rainy season gets over. The quantity of water discharged from the sky is also in precise measure. Shall we not appreciate this and thank God?

[23:18] We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.

[67:30] Say, “What if your water sinks away, who will provide you with pure water?”

 

[18:41] “Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach.”

For added motivation, we can always remember the wonderful and satisfying feeling we get at the time of breaking the Ramadan fast in the evening. Our famished body at that time gets recharged after drinking water. Although we have many tasty dishes in front of us, what we often reach for first is just a glass of water! God explains to us the effect of water in the following verse.

[41:39] Among His proofs is that you see the land still, then, as soon as we shower it with water, it vibrates with life. Surely, the One who revived it can revive the dead. He is Omnipotent.

I hope we will always remember the immense mercy of God and will not lose the opportunity to thank God whenever we have a glass of water to drink.

Abdul

Reference: “Why can’t we manufacture water?”, HowStuffWorks.com

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[21:30] Do the unbelievers not realize that the heaven and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe?

[16:10] He sends down from the sky water for your drink, and to grow trees for your benefit.

[30:24] Among His proofs is that He shows you the lightning as a source of fear, as well as hope, then He sends down from the sky water to revive a land that has been dead. In these, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.

[22:63] Do you not see that GOD sends down from the sky water that turns the land green? GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.

[56:68-70] Have you noted the water you drink? Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful.